Saka returned from the World Cup and after a break rejoined the Arsenal squad, playing his first minutes of this season in the Community Shield, coming on when the Gunners were already leading Manchester City 3-0.
His acceleration and sharpness during that cameo was something that was lacking towards the end of last season as the winger looked to help his team get over the line.
And after his starring performance against Coventry in the first Premier League game of the season, he hinted that after low minutes at the World Cup and a summer break he felt back to his best.
“I was training a lot so I could be ready for the start of the season and ready to help the team in the way I know I can,” Saka said in the mixed zone after the win.
“It was more about balancing my time off and not having too much of a break. I took seven days off and then started to train again.
“I’ve put in a lot of work since then and I’m feeling good. I just tried to come back in good shape, so I’m on top of my body.”
That motivation seems to have come from the frustration of not achieving England’s goal at the World Cup, with the winger returning to training a few days early.
“The World Cup didn’t necessarily go how I wanted it to, for myself and for the team as well,” he said.
“I felt really hungry after the World Cup, after the season ended. I was looking forward to this new season.”